Brendan Rodgers provides Daniel Sturridge injury update

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers provided an update on Daniel Sturridge‘s fitness at his pre-match press conference ahead of the New Year’s Day fixture against Leicester City.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 17, 2014: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge in action against Southampton during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Rodgers confirmed that Sturridge, who has been in the United States for the last month as part of his recovery programme, will return to Merseyside in early January and is expected to be back fit and available in “mid to late January”.

“He will be back here to finalise rehab in early January,” Rodgers told reporters. “He should be back playing mid to late January.”

The 25-year-old hasn’t played for Liverpool since August, initially being injured while away on international duty with England in September, before picking up another injury on the eve of his return in November.

Meanwhile, the boss also updated on Dejan Lovren‘s fitness. The Croatian has been missing since picking an injury in the League Cup win at Bournemouth.

“We’ll see how Dejan is tomorrow,” said Rodgers. “If he’s not fit to face Leicester, he’ll be back for the next game.”